GRIEF IN ADOLESCENCE: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FOLLOWING PARENTAL DEATH DUE TO LONG- TERM ILLNESS
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UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
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This study aimed to understand the grief experiences of adolescents going through parental death and how it affects their well-being in aspects of emotionally and physically. Through in-depth interviews with 8 UNIMAS students who had lost their parents from long- term illness during adolescence, it was found that grief takes forms in the lack of grief expression, emotional, physical, and financial struggle, as well as difficulty in keeping faith in their religion. The ongoing mental development during adolescence has also become a main finding in explaining the complexity of grief and how parental death during this phase affects the participants’ mental growth towards adulthood. Theories of the PERMA Model of Well- being and Kübler-Ross 5 Stages of Grief are used to explain the diverse grief experiences and the coping strategies utilised by the adolescents. Despite its devastating effects, experiencing a parental death can be a catalyst for positive growth in life, particularly in family relationships and motivation. Therefore, this study hopes to offer insight into understanding adolescents’ grief towards the public, especially parents and professionals so that appropriate support that caters to adolescents’ needs can be provided.